Yokota Osprey Deployment to Officially Begin Oct. 1

October 15, 2018

The US military is deploying five CV-22 Ospreys to Yokota AB, Japan, beginning Oct. 1, the Japanese military announced this week. While the deployment will officially begin this fall, the aircraft have been at the base since this spring. In late July, when Air Force Magazine visited Yokota, the tilt-rotor aircraft were positioned on the base’s flight line though USAF officials directed questions about their presence to Air Force Special Operations Command. The Japanese Ministry of Defense said Thursday the deployment will help Japan and the US respond to “various circumstances” in the area, according to the Japan Times. Fifth Air Force Chief of Staff Col. Jean Eisenhut said during a July interview that the CV-22s are part of an increasing AFSOC presence in Japan, a location that is “ideal for their mission.” The base will eventually house 10 of the aircraft. —Brian Everstine, AF Ass’n